Metal casting apparatus



Sept. l1, 1956 A. WITTMosER METAL CASTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled June 24, 1955 Inventar.'

Rayoex' L06* Moex' aan? b Mm e- @uw Sept. 11, 1956 A.'w|TTMosER2,762,096

METAL CASTING APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f 11./ i jf2 United States Patent Gilice 2,762,096 Patented Sept. 11, 1956 METALCASTING APPARATUS Adalbert Wittmoser', Gelsenkirchen, Germany, assignorto Eisenwerke Gelsenkirchen Aktiengesellschaft, Gelsenkirchen, GermanyApplication June 24, 1955, Serial No. 517,811

14 Claims. (Cl. 22-79) The present invention relates to metal castingapparams.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a continuous metalcasting apparatus for casting tubes or the like.

There exist metal casting apparatuses for casting tubes or the likehaving relatively thin walls. However, known apparatuses are incapableof continuously casting tubes or the like having thick walls, inasmuchas the techniques by means of which thin-walled tubes are produced donot lend themselves for casting thick-walled tubes, and when existingapparatuses are called upon to cast thick-walled tubes the molten metalis unevenly distributed within the mold and, when hardened, will form aninferior product.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide ametal casting apparatus which is particularly adapted for continuouslycasting thickwalled tubes or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a continuouscasting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, which casting apparatusis capable of pouring molten metal evenly into a mold.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acontinuous metal casting apparatus which is sturdy, which comprises aminimum number of parts and which may therefore be constructed at lowcost.

With the above objects in view the present invention mainly consists ina metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, which apparatusincludes mold means deining an upwardly extending annular space having acentral axis and inner and outer upper edges and being adapted toreceive molten metal. Inner and outer annular molten metal supply meansare provided for supplying molten metal to the annular space. Thesesupply means are arranged above the mold means, concentric with theannular space and rotatable about the above-mentioned axis, and theinner supply means has an outer peripheral portion adjacent the inneredge of the annular space Aand formed with opening means therethroughand the outer supply means has an inner peripheral portion adjacent theouter edge of the annular space and formed with opening meanstherethrough. Drive means are provided for rotating the inner and outersupply means about the axis either together in the same direction orseparately in opposite directions, so that molten metal may be suppliedto the annular space simultaneously from two regions located,respectively, inside and outside of an upward annular extension of theannular space during rotation of the inner and outer supply means aboutthe above-mentioned axis.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together Vwith additional objects and advantages thereof,will be bestunderstood from the following description of speciiicembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a preferredembodiment according to the present invention taken substantially alongline I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of another preferredembodiment according to the present invention taken substantially alongline III- III of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawing and to Figs. l and 2 thereof in particular,there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention ofa continuous casting apparatus which includes an outer substantiallycylindrical mold member 1 and an inner cylindrical core member 2, whichmembers together constitute a mold means and define between themselvesan upwardlyextending annular space 3 which is adapted to receive moltenmetal. A tube or the like may thus be continuously cast in the space 3by maintaining the annular liquid level 4 of the molten metalsubstantially at the level indicated in Fig. l, in a manner well knownin the art. If desired, suitable cooling means (not shown) may beprovided for cooling the members 1 and 2.

Inner and outer annular molten metal supply troughs 5 and 6 are providedfor pouring molten metal into the space 3. The troughs 5 and 6 areconnected to each other by .a plurality of radial ribs 7, are arrangedconcentrically with the space 3 and are rotatable about the central axisthereof. The arrangement of the parts is such that the inner trough 5 isarranged above and adjacent to the inner edge of the space 3 and theouter trough 5 is arranged above and adjacent to the outer edge of thespace 3, as is clearly shown in the drawing. More particularly, theouter peripheral edge of the inner trough 5 has a diameter approximatelyequal to the inner diameter of the space 3 and is thereforesubstantially above inner edge thereof, and the inner peripheral edge ofthe outer trough 6 has a diameter approximately equal to the outerdiameter of the space 3 and is therefore substantially above the outeredge thereof.

Suitable drive means 8 are provided for rotating the troughs 5 and 6, sothat both may rotate together about the central axis of the annularspace in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 2.

A bifurcated supply trough 9 is arranged above `the troughs 5 and 6. Thefree ends of the arms of the trough 9 are provided with bottom openings10 and 11 which are arranged above the annular troughs 5 and 6,respectively, so that when molten metal is poured into the supply trough9 by means of a ladle 12, shown fragmentarily in Fig. l, the metal mayflow into the annular troughs 5 and 6.

The outer peripheral side wall portion of the trough 5 is provided witha plurality of inner opening means, three of which are shown at 13, 14and 15. These opening means may be constituted by slots or bores passingthrough the inner peripheral side wall and are angularly displaced fromeach other, as shown in Fig. 2. Preferably, the opening 13 is fashionedso that a stream of molten metal issuing therethrough will impinge uponthe liquid level 4 in the region of its inner edge adjacent the coremember 2, the opening 14 so that the stream of molten metal issuingtherethrough will impinge upon the liquid level 4 in the region of itscentral annular portion, i. e., approximately midway between the members1 and 2, and the opening 15 so that the stream of molten metal issuingtherethrough will impinge upon the 'liquid level 4 in the region of itsouter edge adjacent the outer mold member 1.

Similarly, the outer peripheral side wall portion of the trough 6 isprovided with a plurality of outer opening means, three of which areshown at 16, 17 and 18. These opening means may be similar to theopening means 13, 14 and 15 and are preferably fashioned so that astream of molten metal issuing through opening 16 will impinge upon theliquid level 4 in the region of its outer edge, a stream of molten metalissuing through opening 17 will impinge upon the liquid level 4 in the`region of its central annular portion, and a stream of molten metalissuing throughropening 18 will impinge upon the liquid level 14 in theregion of its inner edge. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the openings13, 14, 15 are angularly displaced relative to the openings 16, 17, 18.

Suitable ba'le means may be provided for deecting streams of moltenmetal issuing through the -openings 13 to 18 so as to prevent suchstreams from impinging directly upon the mold members 1 and 2. The baiemeans may take the form of an inner annular baflle member 19 which ismounted on or integral with the inner trough and extends downwardly intothe annular space 3, as well as an outer annular baffle member 20 whichmay be mounted on or integral with the outer trough 6 and which alsoextends downwardly into the annular space 3. In this way, directimpingement of streams of molten metal onto the mold members 1 and 2 isprevented as may best be seen in Fig. l.

If desired, the annular baie members 19 and 20 may be replaced bydownwardly extending baie portions arranged opposite the opening meansof the opposite trough, i. e., the annular baille member 19 may bereplaced by three baille portions which are opposite the outer openings16, 17 and 13, respectively, and the'annular baffle member 20 may bereplaced by three baflle portions which are opposite the inner openings13, 14 and 15, respectively.

Moreover, even the above-described six bafe portions may be replaced bytwo baffle portions, one on the outer trough 6 and located opposite theinner opening 15 and the other on the inner trough 5 and locatedopposite the outer opening 18 inasmuch as the streams of molten liquidissuing through these two openings and 18 are particularly likely toimpinge directly upon the mold members 1 and 2, respectively, as mayreadily be seen in Fig. l.

The operation of the casting apparatus illustrated in Figs. l and 2 mayreadily be understood from the above description. troughs S and 6, thesame are rotated by means of the drive 8 so that a fresh supply ofmolten metal will be added uniformly throughout the entire annularliquid level of the molten metal in space 3. In this way, a

awless and uniformly cast thick-walled tube or pipe 1 may be obtained.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is similar to thatillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 except that the innerA and outer troughs 21and 22 may be rotated independently of each other about the central axisof the an* nular space 3. Accordingly, separate drive means 23 and 24kare provided, which drive means are adapted to rotate the troughs 21and 22 in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4.

In the instant embodiment,V the outer peripheral side wall portion ofthe inner trough 21 is provided with similar openings 25 and innerperipheral wall portion of the outer trough Z2 is provided with similaropenings 26. The openings 25 and 26 are fashioned so that the streams ofmolten metal issuing therethrough will impinge upon the liquid level 4approximately midway between the mold members 1 and '2, it beingunderstood, however, that the opening means 25 and 26 may be fashionedYso that the several streams of molten metal issuing therethroughV willimpinge the annular liquid level While molten metal is supplied to theinner and outer supply means being rotatable about said 4 4 at dilerentplaces, i. e., near the inner or outer edges thereof.

Also, the inner and outer baffle members associated with the embodimentshown in Figs. 3 and 4 are preferably annular ones so as to be adaptedto prevent any streams of molten metal from impinging directly upon themold members 1 and v2, irrespective of the relative position of .thetroughs Z1 and 22.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more tofgether, may also nd a useful application in other types ofmetal casting apparatuses differing from the types described above.V

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied inmetal casting apparatus for continuously casting tubes or the like, itis not intended to be limited to the details shown, since variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention .that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or speciiic aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: Y

l. In a metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, incombination, mold means defining an upwardly extending annular spacehaving inner and outer upper edges and adapted to receive molten metal;and inner and outer annular molten metal supply means arranged abovesaid mold means adjacent said inner and outer edges, respectively, ofsaid annular space for supplying molten metal thereto.

2. In a metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, incombination, mold means defining an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and inner and outer upper edges and being adaptedto receive molten metal; and inner and outer annular molten metal supplymeans arranged above said mold means adjacent said inner and outeredges, respectively, of said annular space for Vsupplying molten metalthereto, said axis.

3. In a metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, incombination, mold means definingk an upwardly extending annular spaceadapted to receive molten metal; and inner and outer annular moltenmetal supply means arranged above said mold means for supplying moltenmetal to said annular space, said inner and outer supply means beingconcentric with said annular space, the outer diameter of said innersupply means being approximately equal to the inner diameter of saidannular space and the inner diameter of said outer supply means beingapproximately equal to the outer diameter of said annular space wherebymolten metal may be supplied to said annular space simultaneously fromtwo regions 1ocated, respectively, inside and outside of an upwardannular extension of said annular space.

4. In a metal casting apparatus for casting tubes/'0r the like, incombination, mold means -dening an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and adapted to receive molten metal; and inner andouter annular molten metal supply means arranged above said mold meansfor supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner and outer.supply means being concentric with said annular space and rotatableabout said axis, the outer diameter of said inner supply means beingapproximately equal to the inner diameter of said annular space and theinner diameter of said outer supply means being approximately equal tothe outer diameter ofrsaid annular space whereby molten metal may besupplied to 4 Y Said annular space simultaneously from two regions1ocated, respectively, inside and outside of an upward annular extensionof said annular space during rotation of said inner and outer supplymeans about said axis.

5. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means defining an upwardly extending annular space`having a central axis and adapted to receive molten metal; inner andouter annular molten metal supply means arranged above said mold meansfor supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner and outersupply means being concentric with said annular space and rotatableabout said axis,

. the outer diameter of said innersupply means being approximately equalto the inner diameter of said annular space and the inner diameter ofsaid outer supply means being approximately equal to the outer diameterof said annular space; and drive means for rotating said inner and outersupply means about Said axis whereby molten metal may be supplied tosaid annular space simultaneously from two regions located,respectively, inside and outside of an upward annular extension of saidannular space.

6. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means dening an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and adapted to receive molten metal; inner andouter annular molten metal supply means arranged above said mold meansfor supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner and outersupply means being concentric with said annular space and rotatabletogether about said axis, the outer daimeter of said inner supply meansbeing approximately equal to the inner diameter of said annular spaceand the inner diameter of said outer supply means being approximatelyequal to the outer diameter of said annular space; and drive means forsimultaneously rotating both said inner and outer supply means aboutsaid axis in the same direction whereby molten metal may be supplied tosaid annular space simultaneously from two regions located,respectively, inside and outside of an upward annular extension of saidannular space during rotation of said inner and outer supply means aboutsaid axis.

7. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means defining an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and adapted to receive molten metal; inner andouter annular molten metal supply means arranged above said mold meansfor supplying molten metal to said annular space, said .inner and outersupply means being concentric with said annular space and rotatableabout said axis independently of each other, the outer diameter of saidinner supply means being approximately equal to the inner diameter ofsaid annular space and the inner diameter of said outer supply meansbeing approximately equal to the outer diameter of said annular space;and separate drive means for rotating said inner and outer supply means,respectively, about said axis in opposite directions whereby moltenmetal may be supplied to said annular space simultaneously from tworegions located, respectively, inside and outside of an upward annularextension of said annular space during rotation of said inner and outersupply means about said axis.

8. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means dening an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and inner and outer upper edges and being adaptedto receive molten metal; inner and outer annular molten metal supplymeans for supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner andouter supply means being arranged above said mold means, concentric withsaid annular space and rotatable about said axis, said inner supplymeans having an outer peripheral portion adjacent said inner edge ofsaid annular space and formed with opening means therethrough and saidouter supply means having an inner peripheral portion adjacent saidouter edge of said annular space and formed with opening meanstherethrough; and drive means for rotating said inner and outer supplymeans about said axis whereby molten metal may be supplied to saidannular space simultaneously from two regions located, respectively,inside and outside of an upward annular extension of said annular spaceduring rotation of said inner and outer supply means about said axis.

9. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means defining an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and inner and outer upper edges and being adaptedto receive molten metal; inner and outer annular molten metal supplymeans for supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner andouter supply means being arranged above said mold means, concentric withsaid annular space and rotatable together about said axis, said innersupply means having an outer peripheral portion adjacent said inner edgeof said annular space and formed with opening means therethrough andsaid outer supply means having an inner peripheral portion adjacent saidouter edge of said annular space and formed with opening meanstherethrough, said opening means of said inner supply means beingangularly displaced relative to said opening means of said outer supplymeans; and drive means for rotating said inner and outer supply meansabout said axis together whereby molten metal may be supplied to saidannular space simultaneously from two regions located, respectively,inside and outside of an upward annular extension of said annularspaceduring rotation of said inner and outer supply means about saidaxis.

l0. A metal casting apparatus for casting tubes or the like, comprising,in combination, mold means dening an upwardly extending annular spacehaving a central axis and inner and outer upper edges and being adaptedto receive molten metal; inner and outer annular molten metal supplymeans for supplying molten metal to said annular space, said inner andouter supply means being arranged above said mold means, concentric withsaid annular space and rotatable about said axis, said inner supplymeans having an outer peripheral portion adjacent said inner edge ofsaid annular space and formed with a plurality of angularly displacedinner opening means for projecting streams of molten metal issuingtherethrough, respectively, different distances and said outer supplymeans having an inner peripheral portion adjacent said outer edge ofsaid annular space and formed with a plurality of angularly displacedouter opening means for projecting streams of molten metal issuingtherethrough, respectively, diierent distances; and drive means forrotating said inner and outer supply means about said axis wherebymolten metal may be supplied to said annular space simultaneously fromtwo regions located, respectively, inside and outside of an upwardannular extension of said annular space during rotation of said innerand outer supply means about said axis.

1l. The combination defined in claim l0 wherein at least one of saidplurality of inner opening means is adapted to project a stream ofmolten metal issuing therethrough so that the same will impinge upon theannular liquid level of molten metal in said annular space in the regionof the inner edge of said annular liquid level, wherein at least oneother of said plurality of inner opening means is adapted to project astream of molten metal issuing therethrough so that the same willimpinge upon said annular liquid level in the region of the centralannular portion thereof, and wherein at least yet one other of saidplurality of said inner opening means is adapted to project a stream ofmolten metal issuing therethrough so that the same will impinge uponsaid annular liquid level in the region of the outer edge thereof; andwherein at least one of said plurality of outer opening means is adaptedto project a stream of molten metal issuing therethrough so that thesame will impinge` upon said annular liquid level in said region of saidinner edge thereof,

wherein at least one other of said plurality of outer opening means isadapted to project a'stream of molten metal issuing therethrough so-that the same will impinge yupon said annular liquid level in saidregion of said central annular portion thereof, and wherein at least yetone other of said plurality of outer opening means is adapted 4toproject a stream of molten metal issuing therethrough so that the sameWill impinge upon said annular liquid l level in said region of saidouter edge thereof.

Y means on at least one of said supply means and projecting into saidannular space for deflecting streams of Amolten metal issuing throughsaid opening means through the peripheral portion of the other of saidsupply means thereby preventing the streams from impinging directly uponvsaid mold means.

14. The combination defined Vin claim l0, `and inner annular vbaillemeans o n said inner supply means'and projecting 'into said annular-space for Vdeflecting streams of molten metal issuing through saidouter opening means through said, inner peripheral portion of said outersupply means and outer annular baille means on said outer supply meansand projecting into said annular space for -deflecting streams of moltenmetalissuing through said inner opening means through said outerperipheral portion of said inner supply means, thereby preventingstreams of molten metal from impinging directly upon said mold means.v v

References Cited in the leof thispatent UNITED 'STATES PATENTS 125,044Guthrie Mar. 26, i872 FOREIGN PATENTS Y 746,211 Germany June 15, 19441,079,898 France AMay 26, 1954

